*one month later*
{MIHO'S POV}
The location where Kazuma and I will have our duel has been decided. There's an arena built for just this purpose on the outskirts of Fort Birch's territory. The setup is simple: a large dirt field, surrounded by a high wall and multiple tiers of stone benches.

For a such an important duel, the arena could easily fit thousands of spectators. It's strange seeing all of the seats empty and quiet.

Kazuma insisted that Aoi-kun and I come, but says that we can only bring 2 generals with us. Any more, and he'll assume that I'm forfeiting the match. He won't even approach.

Takeshi refuses to let Aoi-kun go without him, and Torako refuses to let me go without her. So we left Hajime behind to defend the forts.

I wonder if this is how Kiki felt, right after she first met my dad. Her husband, Hisame, challenged her for her hand in marriage. They crossed swords in an arena just like this one, although Kiki ended up winning with the help of Mitsuhide. Did she feel this nervous excitement while waiting, these jitters?

Takeshi and Torako are in the stands, watching outside for Kazuma's party. He said that he'll take three of his best fighters, to keep our numbers even at four. However, the two generals are anxious that he might be the one to break the deal. We'll need to escape fast if Kazuma brings his entire army.

"Kazuma isn't like the other generals. Father let him do as he pleases, since Fort Birch is in the Cloud Ridge Mountains." Aoi-kun stands in the arena with me while we wait for the last general. "Kazuma doesn't like swords. A lot of his knights fight with non-traditional weapons. The man himself uses gauntlets; well-rounded, specializes in close combat."

"A battle of... agility then." I say. I was able to overwhelm Nobu with my speed. I doubt General Kazuma will be so simple.

Aoi-kun leans in, then conks our foreheads together hard. "Don't get cocky just because your rapier has more reach. Kazuma has fought and beaten a lot of swordsmen to get to where he is. Be careful Miho. Please, stay alive."

"I will, Aoi-kun." I promise, rubbing my sore forehead and basking in his energy.

I'll need as much energy as I can muster for the upcoming fight. We stay like that until Torako spots a small group outside. She and Takeshi were patrolling. Kazuma has arrived at the arena.

Aoi-kun smiles grimly at me, then runs up to the wall and leaps, grabbing the railing ten feet above. He hauls himself up and into the spectator's seats.

General Kazuma enters the spectator's seats, his three bodyguards eyeing us warily from his flanks.

"You really only brought the four?" Kazuma's voice is laced with surprise.

Aoi-kun looks around. "So did you."

"Indeed. I suppose you do have some honor." His eyes turn to me and widen even more. "Color me impressed. This preteen girl is strong enough to be called the Commander of Zoral's military?"

"See for yourself." Aoi-kun grins, gesturing at him. "That's why you're here, isn't it?"

Kazuma scratches his head. "I don't like bullying children. Are you sure she's strong enough?"

"Miho lead the slaughter at Fort Cypress. She fought and defeated General Nobu single-handed. She is my sword." Aoi-kun defends me, raising his chin proudly. "You'd do best not to underestimate her."

Kazuma scowls. "Killing that rat bastard isn't much achievement. Good riddance, I say."

Still, he looks at me with a bit more respect. I beckon him forward. Kazuma's bodyguards sit on the other end of the stands, as far away from Aoi-kun, Takeshi, and Torako as they can get.

Kazuma jumps down into the dirt arena, landing on the balls of his feet. His gauntlets glint in the sunlight. His only armor is a small breastplate and steel-toed boots. A dozen small throwing knives are fastened around Kazuma's waist.

Aoi did say the lone general of Fort Birch is a well-rounded fighter. It seems I don't just have to worry about close combat.

I remove my rapier from it's sheath, a sharp metallic ring piercing the tense silence.

We stare at each other for a second, each gauging our opponent. I don't know what Kazuma sees, but I see a long, drawn-out fight ahead of me.

I have no idea who charged first. We dart towards each other, without waiting for a signal to start.

We meet in the middle. Kazuma's blows are heavy, his punches reinforced with steel. I try to get around to his backside, but the general stands his ground, matching me attack for attack. He's fast.

I can't win with brute force alone. Kazuma has the edge in experience. I need strategy. Think Miho. Think! How can you overwhelm him?

I have to take him by surprise. How to go about that? I whirl and jab, looking for an opening. This is too intense. I need space to think.

I withdraw, and Kazuma takes advantage of my retreat. He swings his legs in a spinning roundhouse kick. I raise my arms.

His foot rams into me and I'm sent flying. I slam against the wall at the edge of the arena. Idiot! How could I be so foolish and forget the steel-toes on his boots? Even his kicks are reinforced.

The wind is knocked out of me, but Kazuma doesn't give me a second to breathe. Three small projectiles sail towards me at lethal speeds.

The throwing knives.

I dodge one and raise my rapier to parry the other two. I'm not good at defense, so one scratches my right arm and draws a line of blood. It stings.

Kazuma approaches casually, opening and closing his fists. He looked bored. I haven't landed a single blow. I see the claws on Kazuma's fingertips and immediately know: he's holding back on me.

Those sharp gauntlets aren't designed for punching, but for slicing their opponent into ribbons. The stronger punches are just an added bonus.

I grit my teeth, thankful for once that no emotions show on my face. He can't see the fear in my eyes.

"Admit your loss, little girl. I don't enjoy punishing the weak. The outcome of this match is clear. Rest assured, Fort Birch won't follow Kenji. We'll remain neutral." He sounds genuine.

Kazuma underestimates me. But maybe I can use this against him. If I can do something he doesn't expect, stop him in his tracks for just one second...

I take a deep breath and charge.

Kazuma smiles. "You've got guts, I'll give you that—running to your death. You're too full of openings. I won't stop myself this time."

"Miho!" Aoi-kun shouts worriedly in the stands.

Kazuma raises his gauntlets, clawed fingers outstretched and glittering with my blood. He swings his hand down in a lethal arc when I get within reach. I instinctively raise my rapier.

They clang together and he grabs hold. We're stuck in a stalemate now. One gauntlet pushes against my sword and my sword pushes against his hand.

Kazuma raises his other hand to strike at me. I have to do it now. Something he won't expect.

Why am I defending? I'm bad at defense. I stop defending, withdrawing my rapier. Now no longer meeting any resistance, Kazuma—who was applying a lot of downward pressure—lurches forward.

His gauntlets slice into my left arm, leaving bloody trails in their wake. Pain shoots through my entire body as my non-dominant arm is essentially filleted.

My vision swims, but I don't pass out through sheer willpower. I vaguely hear distraught shouting in the stands, and it sounds like Takeshi and Torako are trying to hold Aoi-kun back.

Kazuma rights himself and takes a step back. He lowers his arms, breathing hard. My unbalancing ploy worked, but he's already recovering his wits.

It has to be now.

I reach forward with my injured arm, ignoring the painful protest of muscle and bone, and grab his left gauntlet. I pull Kazuma closer and step forward at the same time. We're mere inches from each other.

I lift my rapier and press it against his throat. One wrong move and I'll sever his jugular. Kazuma sighs. I wait. Was it enough?